CAPE TOWN - Investigations are underway at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology after a student could not graduate because someone else had graduated in her place.
Sihle Joseph, a deregistered student, graduated in place of another student on Tuesday.
Thandile Jevu, the student who was supposed to graduate, arrived three hours later.
It's unclear how Joseph managed to graduate, given that his last active status as a CPUT student was in 2023.
CPUT spokesperson Lauren Kensley said the University is investigating.
"The perpetrator would have perhaps obtained tickets from someone else who was perhaps not attending the graduation, and used those tickets to access the venue. Once he was in the venue, he then scouted around for an empty seat. And then used her name and walked across the stage and collected her certificate."
Other graduates are calling for tough punishment against Joseph. His family said the events continue to affect them.
They have declined to comment, citing the sensitive nature of the case.